Toyota launches new 8-Series large forklifts

Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA) has launched a new range of counterbalance fork lifts designed to deliver fuel efficiency, high performance and environment-friendly operation.

Toyota’s new 8-Series forklifts incorporate all industry-leading forklift safety and ergonomic features normally available in its entire internal combustion forklifts range. Key improvements have been made to increase fuel and work efficiency, reduce emissions, enhance durability and reliability, and allow better operability, operator comfort and visibility from the operator's seat.

The new 8-Series range now includes 3500kg to 8000kg pneumatic-tyre models with the choice of LPG, dual-fuel or diesel options, as well as a compact cushion-tyre range of LPG-fuel models with 3500kg to 7000kg capacities. These forklifts also feature a new 65kW electronic fuel injection-equipped 3.7-litre LPG engine offering fuel savings of up to 20 per cent compared with the previous model.

TMHA national sales and Toyota product manager Jim Lobow explains that the new forklift models suit a range of indoor and outdoor applications within the paper, timber and concrete industries as well as large distribution centres.

Several key safety features have been included in the 8-Series models beginning with Toyota's exclusive System of Active Stability, which helps reduce the likelihood of lateral or longitudinal roll overs, and works in conjunction with Toyota's Active Mast Controller Function that automatically matches lift height and load weight to prevent dropped loads or tip-overs. A vehicle travel speed control system is also provided as standard equipment.

Toyota’s 8-Series forklifts come with three new fuel-saving features including a load-sensing power steering system to reduce power demand on the engine, an Economy or Eco mode to optimise the performance curve of the engine to work conditions, and a programmable Auto Engine Off feature on the LPG Dual Fuel engine models.

Toyota has also reinforced its core strengths of quality, durability and reliability, further improving uptime.

Key enhancements in the 8-Series forklifts include a redesigned chassis and fully stamped steel plate construction, with significantly reduced use of cosmetic plastic; critical controllers and relays protected in a steel box and water-resistant connectors used throughout; rear combination lamps of long-life/low power use LED type, mounted high on the overhead guard for protection; and optimised reliability with a 55 per cent increase in engine radiator size and an external hydraulic cooler.

Ergonomic improvements in the new 8-Series models include increased floor space, a larger step, a curvilinear overhead guard post shape and a smaller diameter steering wheel. The steering system now has an active synchroniser, so the angle of the steering wheel always corresponds to the angle of the steered rear wheels.

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